More than 500 people gather to celebrate at Cairns Community Christmas lunch
More than 500 people from all walks of life gathered on to share a meal and a chat at the annual Cairns Community Christmas Lunch.
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More than 500 people from all walks of life gathered on Wednesday to share a meal and a chat at the annual Cairns Community Christmas Lunch.
The free lunch, held at St Augustine’s College, provided guests with table service, a full Christmas spread, presents for the kids and a companion at each table to keep the conversations flowing.
For guest Leon Ford the Christmas lunch provided an opportunity to share the day with others.
“For me, to make anything at home would have been two or three hours in the kitchen, and I’d be sitting there by myself,” Mr Ford said.
“So I thought, I’ll just come here.”
“It doesn’t matter who, it doesn’t matter what social status you have, everyone is welcome.”
The event had the same atmosphere as a family Christmas, but with a huge extended family.
Masses of ham, roast potatoes, pudding and other Christmas favourites filled tables as people laughed and swapped stories.
Cairns Community Christmas Lunch president David Lennie said the event gave those who were struggling, away from family or simply after a delicious festive meal a chance to be part of the Christmas spirit.
“It’s like coming to a friend’s house,” Mr Lennie said.
“With cost of living and people often being alone they’re not going to make a Christmas meal for themselves.
“So the advantage of coming here is that they get companionship.”
Across the hundreds of guests each person had a unique story and reason why they attended, but many said they simply enjoyed feeling part of a community.
Guest Jeremy Thomas recently tore a ligament in his hand while playing volleyball and said the injury meant he couldn’t work or do the things he loved.
“I haven’t been able to work since I had the operation, so I was just kind of sitting at home,” Mr Thomas said.
“I called up the council to find out if I could volunteer for something over Christmas and they said all the spots were filled but said to just come along to the lunch.”
“It’s a really nice sense of community here and everyone’s been super kind... even offering to cut my meat for me.”
The lunch was only possible through the generous donations from community, dozens of dedicated volunteers and the talented kitchen staff of St Augustine’s College led by Glenn McKenzie.
Mr Lennie said despite the hard work involved to pull the event together, nothing compared to the joy he and his volunteers felt after seeing the impact the lunch made.
“I’ll have a breath of relief when I get in my car and drive back home,” Mr Lennie said.
“To see the smiles on people’s faces especially the kids when they’re opening their toys, sometimes... it’s the first brand new toy they’ve ever received.”
“It’s very special.”
Originally published as More than 500 people gather to celebrate at Cairns Community Christmas lunch
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